Curtains down on Kodava family hockey tourney

Traditional attire, Kalladka dolls centre of attraction at the finals

Curtains downed on the 25-days Kodava family hockey tournament on Friday.

Mandepanda family took out a procession of various cultural teams in Ammathi town prior to the final match. Mandepanda family members with their traditional attire, Kalladka gombe, Keelu kudure, musical instruments and other teams were centre of attraction at the procession.

Sports lovers had come to the venue from every nook and corner of the district to watch the final match. By 10 am, the spectators gallery was partially filled.

Kodava Sahithya Academy’s ummathat team with the traditional dance kept the audience cheerful. Prior to the match, in a stage programme Mandepanda Appayya, Cafe Coffee Day’s Naveen, Bank of India General Manager A A Badshah, Cauvery Group head Ponnachettira Arun Kariappa, Door Tech Private Ltd’s Ballyanda M Poovaiaha, TVS Vice-Presidet R Dileep, Ten Sports Vice-President Cheranda M Kishan, Kodava Hockey Academy Founder President Pandanda M Kuttappa, MLA M P Appacchuranajn and Coorg Hockey Association President Nellamakkada Mohan Ayyappa were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Cafe Coffee Day Senior General Manager Naveen said: “I have not seen such an organised tournament so far. It was an model sports tournament.”

Ten Sports Vice-President Cheranda M Kishan said “there is a need for a permanent stadium to organise the hockey tournament.”

Souvenir of the tournament was released by Kodava Hockey Academy Founder President Pandanda M Kuttappa.